Chelmsford College will not be liable for any loss or damage which you may suffer as a result of or connected with the download or use of these files.

Local Life

Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and as such is the centre of local government, serving a population of 162,000. It is situated on the banks of the Rivers Chelmer and Can, and is about 45 km/28 miles from London. The attractive rural surroundings make it a perfect commuter town.

The former Roman settlement of Chelmsford is best known as the birthplace of the electronics industry. It is here that Marconi established the first radio factory in the world.

Chelmsford has all the amenities of a modern town with excellent shopping and leisure facilities, a lively nightlife and good communications systems, being only 35 minutes by train from London. It is surrounded by attractive countryside with many traditional English villages and is close to the sea. Despite redevelopment over the past 30 years, Chelmsford retains many glimpses of its past - including the old buildings around the cathedral.

Travel:

Communications to and from Chelmsford are excellent with good road and rail links.

Bus station (First Essex Buses) is located close to the rail station. All local bus and coach information can be obtained tel: 01245 353104. Coach travel is usually much cheaper than going by train. A student travel card will allow you cheaper travel on National Express coaches which travel throughout Britain.

Chelmsford Railway Station is a few minutes walk from the town centre; One Railway runs train services to London, Liverpool Street (35 minutes). A network card offering discount travel can be bought. If you are a member of the Student Union you can obtain a Young Person's Rail Card which gives you a reduced rail fare.

Easy access by car to A12 to London (45 km, 28 miles); M25 London orbital (20 km, 12 miles) with links to M1 North, M2 Dover, M3 Southampton and M4 Bristol.

Airports are close by: Southend (24 km, 15 miles; tel: 01702 340201) and Stansted (24 km, 15 miles; tel: 01279 680500).

Nearest ports on the East coast are: Harwich (72 km, 45 miles) and Felixstowe (80 km, 50 miles).

For more information about travel to and from Chelmsford try these web sites.

Leisure & Entertainment:

Facilities are widely available in and around the town.

Chelmsford has all that you need for a great night out. The town has a vibrant nightlife with a huge choice of pubs, bars, venues and clubs.

In the heart of the town centre you can choose from traditional pubs, restaurants and modern café bars where food from around the globe is always available, whilst quiet country pubs and restaurants can be found in traditional Essex villages.

Chelmsford has two theatres close to the town centre; the
Civic and Cramphorn Theatres (tel: 01245 606505). There is also a multi screen Odeon cinema in the Meadows.

The V Music Festival is one of the major events in the calendar, taking place annually at Hylands Park.

Sport:

If you're the sporty type then Chelmsford has an exciting range of facilities & teams.

The town is home to Chelmsford City Football Club, who currently compete in the Blue Square League South Division. Essex County Cricket Club in the heart of the town centre offers first class cricket whilst the pace and power of the
Chelmsford Chieftains Ice Hockey Team can be experienced at Riverside Ice and Leisure, the only ice rink in Essex.

There are numerous health and fitness clubs including Riverside Ice and Leisure, Cannons, Fitness First and Virgin Active and a full range of sports development programmes should help you keep fit and healthy. The
Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, Victoria Road (tel: 01245 492954) offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, squash courts, multi-purpose sports hall, gymnasium, sauna and health suite. There is also an international size skating rink. A variety of clubs and classes can be found here.

Outdoor pitches and tennis courts are available in several parks: Oaklands Park, Central Park, Melbourne Park.

There are a number of excellent golf courses in the area.

Ten pin bowling can be played at the GX Superbowl, Tattersall Way (tel: 01245 359249).

You can enjoy a pleasant walk in Danbury Country Park and Hylands Park. Chelmsford and Essex Museum stands in Oaklands Park. Just minutes out of town, villages and quiet countryside reflect a gentler pace of life.

A full list of sports centres and their different facilities can be obtained from the Tourist Information Office in County Hall. Or you can contact Chelmsford Leisure Services Department (tel: 01245 490490 ext 2078).

Shopping:

Chelmsford's award winning town centre provides an unrivalled shopping experience. A pedestrianised High Street, two modern under-cover shopping centres (Meadows & High Chelmer) and a bustling indoor market are complemented by specialist shopping areas in Moulsham Street and the West End. There are also regular Farmers Markets and French Markets in the town centre. But it's not all shops; nearly 100 pubs, restaurants, wine bars and street cafes offer the perfect opportunity to take a break and recharge the batteries.

For more information about Chelmsford, its facilities & entertainment, try these web sites.